Seasons Greetings and Why I’m Thankful

It’s just ticked over to Christmas Day here in Australia and I wanted to take a moment from the normal rhythm of this blog to stop and wish you all a Merry Christmas.

Here in Australia we don’t do ‘Thanksgiving’ as a holiday and so in our house Christmas is a day where we not only reflect on our Spirituality, spend time with family and friends, exchange gifts and eat too much food – it’s also a day that we try to stop and give thanks for the good things in our lives.

One of those good things in my life is blogging – an in particularly ProBlogger.

It seems like yesterday (it was actually September 2004) when the first posts went live on this blog. When I hit publish on those first posts (mainly posts that I’d imported from my previous personal blog) I had no idea what was to come.

I knew that I wanted to connect with other bloggers who were looking to take their blogs in a more professional direction – but had no idea how blogging would continue explode and expand as a medium in the years that followed. I also had no idea how many amazing people I’d ‘meet’ through this blog.

4,782 posts and 125,995 comments later I can safely say that this blog and its readers have changed my life. The changes have been both big and small.

This blog has opened up some amazing friendships and business partnerships, it has supported my family financially, it has taught me so much about communication, community and emerging technologies, it has been responsible for bringing about some wonderful opportunities to travel, teach, write for and connect with many millions of people…. and it has been a lot of fun.

Much of this is simply a result of people like yourself – for that I’m thankful.

I know not all of you celebrate this day but do want to take a moment to acknowledge the part that many of you have played in this blog and in my life and wish you a happy holiday period.

PS – My Aussie Christmas

I am always asked how an Aussie celebrates Christmas so here’s a quick synopsis of the day that we’ve planned ahead.

For starters the weather will be warm. Last time I checked the forecast is for 28 degrees (Celsius – which is 82 degrees Fahrenheit). So it’ll be a shorts and tshirts kind of day with quite a bit of time outside.

We start the day with our little family exchanging gifts (probably in bed). Our eldest is two and a half so is just starting to get into parties, presents, Santa etc. He doesn’t quote get what is about to happen but he’s excited anyway.

We’ll then have breakfast together (probably french toast) and then head to church. After that we’ll head to V’s (my wife) family for Christmas lunch. This will be outside by the pool and we’ll probably do a little swimming and playing of cricket in the backyard (a great Aussie tradition). I think the menu includes a roast (pork I think), lobster, prawns (BBQ’d) lots of vegetables, salads – followed by Plum Pudding (it’s a feast).

After lunch we’ll swim, sleep, play, exchange gifts and have a nice time. We’ll then head to my parents for dinner. The menu will be lighter – probably a selection of cold meats and salads. We’ll attempt to get the kids to sleep there and will hang out with my family until into the evening before heading home. Luckily we live 5 minutes from each of our families so there won’t be much driving.

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Comments

It is now 11:52 PM on Dec 24th in the US. We are still awake waiting for the little ones to go to bed so that Santa can come visit. They have wanted to go to bed since 5:00 PM and now that they are in bed they are wide awake.

Am grateful to have discovered your blog earlier this year through techcrunch. From that day on, have been hooked on your tips and don’t miss a day without checking your blog. I’ve benefited greatly. South Africa has loads of opportunities within the blogging sphere which am looking forward to exploring in the new year.

Topical for me, as our best friends moved to Australia a couple of months ago, and we’ll really miss them this year. I did have a funny moment when I called them this morning (but Xmas day evening in Australia) and got a wrong number. I asked for Adam, and was told (imagine a broad Sydnet accent here) “Sorry mate, there’s nobody called Adam here, but we’re having a hell of a party mate, and whoever you are, wherever you are, have a great Christmas!”
I’m just embarking on a blogging career as we’re in desperate straits financially, so I hope to emulate a little of your success.
Here in Southern Europe, we’re also having a warm Christmas, and we’ve be sharing Xmas lunch with a big group of family and friends. We’ve had the traditional turkey and all the trimmings and then we swapped silly and funny presents with a price limit of €5. This was followed by some silly games in the pool and probably too much to drink. We made lots of toasts to absent friends and family and then we broke into little groups to natter. Some people have gone for a walk to helpw the food and drink go down, others are asleep very sensibly, and I just broke out the laptop to read your blog.
This year Christmas for me ios about about getting away from the nightmare of this recession, but also giving thanks for the fact that all of us in my famly have our health and sense of humour intact.
Merry Christmas to all of you other bloggers out there, and I hope 2009 brings you all you wish for.
Cheers
Mike.

Wish you and your family a Happy New Year. I have read about things that make you feel thankful. I, like everyone here have been a loyal follower, and have got my share of fun and learning.

I think what you have shown above all is not the art of blogging, but the art and spirit of giving. I speak for many in appreciating your sincerity in not holding back anything that could help your readers.

A belated Christmas greeting to you, too, Darren. Like yours, our day revolved around family though, with elderly parents, one of whom has dementia, we had to give our usual weekly attendance at church a miss. Four generations, lots of games and good food made it one of the best.
I want to take this opportunity to thank you for all you’ve taught me about blogging. Your input has been immeasurable, and I’ve told heaps of people about you. God bless. Mel – author of A Painful Post Mortem